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XXV

A/n: I'm really torn between how I should end this book:

Three years later
Despite the cries of babes that usually echoed around Dragonstone, the island that night was quieter than usual. Quiet enough for a person to sneak around. More often than not the person would have to hide in the shadows to avoid guards, and once or twice they saw Prince Maekar walking around with three of his trusted Blood Riders.

Once the coast was clear, the person continued their stealthy journey, moving like a shadow through the castle. They skillfully avoided patrols and sidestepped the occasional servant, blending seamlessly into the darkness. Their heart raced with each close call, but their determination to escape Dragonstone burned brighter.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of sneaking and evading, the person found themselves outside the castle walls. The moonlit courtyard stretched out before them, and beyond that, the rolling hills awaited. The person couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope as they gazed at the open expanse.

But as they stepped into the courtyard, they heard the distant sound of footsteps approaching. Panic gripped their chest as they realised they weren't alone. They quickly dove behind a nearby statue, praying that their hiding spot would go unnoticed.

Peering cautiously from their hiding place, the person saw a group of guards patrolling the courtyard. Their armor gleamed in the moonlight, and their eyes scanned the area, searching for any signs of intruders. The person knew they had to act quickly if they were to escape.

With a surge of courage, the person waited for the perfect moment. As the guards passed by, their backs turned, the person silently slipped out from behind the statue and began to make their way towards the castle gate. They moved with the grace of a cat, their footsteps barely audible on the cobblestones.

As they approached the gate, the person's heart pounded in their chest. They knew that if they were caught now, all their efforts would be in vain. With one last burst of speed, they reached the gate and pushed it open, the heavy wooden doors creaking in protest.

Stepping out into the cool night air, the person felt a sense of freedom wash over them. They had made it. They had escaped Dragonstone. But their journey was far from over. With a determined look in their eyes, the person set their sights on the distant hills and began to climb, leaving the castle and all its dangers behind.

The person pulled the hood off of their head, revealing it to be ten year old Visenya Targaryen, a Princess of the Seven Kingdoms. She grinned as she saw the castle in the distance.

As Visenya made her way up into the hills, the girl couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. The stars above twinkled brightly, guiding her path as she walked further up the hills, following the sounds of dragon calls.

With each step, the dragon calls grew louder and more distinct, echoing through the night air. Visenya's curiosity and excitement intensified as she approached the source of the calls. Finally, she came across a pitch-black cave, its entrance hidden amidst the rocky terrain.

Undeterred by the darkness and the eerie atmosphere, Visenya's determination pushed her forward. She reached out and grabbed a lit torch that had been left at the entrance of the cave, its flickering flame casting eerie shadows on the walls. With the torch in hand, she took a deep breath and ventured into the unknown.

As she ventured deeper into the cave, the darkness enveloped her, swallowing every trace of light. The air grew colder, and the silence was broken only by the sound of her own footsteps echoing off the damp walls. Her heart raced as she remembered the rumors surrounding the dragon that resided within these caves.

The dragon was known as the Cannibal, a creature rumored to be untameable. Its reputation was built on its insatiable hunger for eggs and younger dragons. The Cannibal was as black as coal, its scales gleaming in the faint torchlight, and its vibrant green eyes seemed to pierce through the darkness.

Visenya's fear grew with each step she took. The dragon's growls reverberated through the cavern, sending chills down her spine. But despite her fear, Visenya was determined. She knew that taming the Cannibal would be no easy task, but she believed in her ability to connect with the creature.

As she reached the chamber where the Cannibal resided, her heart skipped a beat. The dragon towered above her, its wingspan stretching across the vast space. Its powerful presence filled the chamber, and its growls shook the very foundation of the cave.

Visenya locked eyes with the Cannibal, feeling a mixture of awe and trepidation. The dragon's gaze was intense, filled with a primal ferocity that sent shivers down her spine. But she refused to let fear consume her. She took a step forward, her voice steady as she spoke to the majestic beast.

"I know of your reputation, O mighty Cannibal," Visenya said in perfect High Valyrian, a feat Moira, Rhaegar and even Aegon were yet to accomplish. Her voice was filled with determination. "But I believe that there is a bond between us, a connection that can transcend your hunger. I am here to prove that you can be tamed."

The dragon's growls grew louder, its eyes narrowing as if to challenge her words. Visenya stood her ground, her determination unwavering. She reached out a hand, palm open, in a gesture of trust and respect.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Visenya held her breath as she waited for the dragon's response. And then, to her surprise, the Cannibal's growls softened. Its eyes, once filled with hostility, seemed to soften as well.

—————

Maekar was in the middle of his nightly routine. After supper with his growing family, Maekar would spend two hours in the Chamber of the Painted Table with his advisers. Maekar's advisers consisted of his three Blood Riders, Farro, Fakko, and Azo, Prince Qoren when he visited, Ser Brandon Stark, who was sent as a representative of Lord Cregan Stark, and Tommen, his nephew through Visenya.

After that, Maekar would check on his grandchildren. Aegon and Aliandra gave birth to a perfect girl two years ago, which they named Daenerys, and Aliandra had given birth to a son just over a moon ago which the happy parents named Oberyn after Aliandra's uncle.

Baelon and his Lady Wife, Evelyn, had also given birth to a son two moons after Daenerys was born, naming the child Viserys, which made his namesake cry when presented at court.

In two short years, Maekar and Alicent became grandparents of three fine babes. They found there was little difference between parenthood and grandparenthood, though they had more reason to spoil their grandchildren.

After Maekar would check on his grandchildren, Maekar would check on his children. Eldest to youngest like always. Aegon and Aliandra were fast asleep when Maekar gently knocked on the door. He smiled at the sight and whispered a quiet, "goodnight," to the pair.

Then he'd check on Baelon and Evelyn. Evelyn was asleep when Maekar entered, but Baelon was still sat at his desk, pawning over letters and documents Maekar left in his care to give him experience.

"Don't fret," Maekar whispered through the darkness, placing his hand on his second born's shoulder.

"I-I can get it done," Baelon muttered through a yawn which caused Maekar to frown.

"Go to bed, my boy," Maekar patted his shoulder. "I will run through the documents with you tomorrow," Baelon nodded, hugging his father tightly as he went to bed.

Maekar would then visit Moira and Rhaegar. The two hadn't married yet but Maekar granted them permission to share a chambers seeing as they were soon to be husband and wife. The scar that lined Moira's face had healed nicely and took to wearing a sapphire in place of where her eye should be, ditching the eyepatch. The young woman loved the attention it brought.

They too were fast asleep.

Visenya's chambers were only two doors down from her siblings. Maekar pushed open the doors. He frowned when he saw all the lanterns were out. Moira was normally still awake reading at this hour and Maekar had to force her into bed. The moonlight lit up the room as Maekar ventured further into the room, seeing mounds under the bed sheets.

Maekar gently lifted the sheets, seeing pillows in place of where his daughter should be. At that moment, the alarm bells around Dragonstone started to ring, and Maekar looked out of the window of Visenya's chambers, seeing Dothraki rushing around below. Suddenly, a roar that shook the castles foundations was heard and Maekar gasped when he saw the dragon fly overhead.

The Cannibal.

Maekar rushed from Visenya's chambers, seeing Aegon, Baelon, Moira and Rhaegar sleepily exit their chambers.

"Grab your swords!" Maekar barked at his four children, who seemed to jump awake at their father's booming voice.

"What's happening?" Aegon asked, still wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"The Cannibal is on the loose and your sister is missing," said Maekar, and his children seemed to jump into action at that, grabbing their swords gifted to them by their father. Maekar rushed to his own chambers, seeing his wife, Alicent sobbing uncontrollably into her hands, if she had already knew what was happening.

"Oh, my love, I had such a bad feeling earlier at supper," Alicent cried into his chest. "I should've known Visenya would go searching for dragons," Maekar comforted Alicent, reassuring her he'd get their daughter back safely as he grabbed the ancestral sword, Blackfyre and rushed to join his children and members of the Dothraki in the courtyard.

As Maekar joined his children and the Dothraki in the courtyard, the chaos of the situation was evident. The alarm bells continued to ring, echoing through the air, while the Dothraki warriors scrambled to mount their horses, ready to assist in the search for Visenya. The moonlight cast an eerie glow on the scene, adding to the sense of urgency.

Maekar's heart pounded in his chest as he tightened his grip on Blackfyre, the ancestral sword of House Targaryen. His children stood beside him, their faces determined and filled with worry for their sister. The Cannibal's roar still reverberated in the distance, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked nearby.

Without wasting a moment, Maekar called for his children to follow him as they mounted their war horses, leading the way towards the direction the dragon had flown. The Dothraki warriors galloped alongside them, their horses thundering through the night. The sound of their hooves echoed in Maekar's ears, matching the pounding of his own heart.

As they rode through the darkened landscape, Maekar's mind raced with thoughts of Visenya's safety. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his daughter to the untameable beast. He prayed to the gods, silently pleading for her protection.

After what seemed like an eternity, they spotted a plume of smoke rising in the distance. A sense of dread washed over Maekar as he spurred his horse forward, his children close behind. As they approached, the sight that greeted them was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

The Cannibal stood in the center of a clearing, its massive form illuminated by the flickering flames of a burning village. The dragon's scales gleamed in the firelight, and its vibrant green eyes glowed with an intensity that sent shivers down Maekar's spine.

Visenya stood in front of the dragon, her figure small and vulnerable compared to the creature before her. She held out her hand, as if trying to calm the beast with her touch. Maekar's heart swelled with both pride and fear for his brave daughter.

With a mixture of determination and caution, Maekar dismounted from his horse, his children following suit. They approached the dragon slowly, their swords at the ready, but not raised in aggression. Maekar's voice carried across the clearing, strong and commanding.

"Cannibal, I am Maekar Targaryen, your fellow dragon lord," he called out, his voice carrying a hint of reverence. "I beg you, spare my daughter and let her return to us unharmed. We are not here to harm you, but to find a way to coexist."

The Cannibal's eyes shifted from Visenya to Maekar, as if contemplating his words. The dragon's growls softened, and for a moment, the clearing fell silent. Maekar held his breath, hoping that his words had reached the creature's heart.

"It's fine, father!" Visenya's happy voice filled the air. She rested her hand on the Cannibal's snout which made Maekar's heart nearly drop out of his chest. "I tamed him!"

"Plundering a village is what they call tamed!?" Maekar called, watching as Visenya sheepishly shrugged. Maekar couldn't reprimand her. In his early days as a Khal of his Dothraki tribe he did some horrible things to innocents. "Tell the Cannibal to return to its cave, and that tomorrow he shall learn to behave as a dragon should!"

The small garrison of Dothraki warriors, Aegon, Baelon, Moira, Rhaegar and Maekar watched in awe as Visenya commanded the once untameable beasts respect, ordering it back to its cave without a hint of fear in her face. And then, unexpectedly, the Cannibal let out a deep rumble, almost like a sigh. Its massive wings unfurled, casting a shadow over the clearing. Slowly, the dragon turned away from Visenya and took flight, disappearing into the night sky.

Relief flooded through Maekar as he rushed to embrace his daughter, holding her tightly in his arms. Visenya's eyes were filled with a mixture of awe and gratitude, knowing that she had come face to face with the untameable, tamed it and lived to tell the tale.

"I'm not explaining this to your mother," he sighed into her shoulder, squeezing her extra tight from his position still on his knees. "You're doing that," Visenya nodded with an uncaring laugh.

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